Time recorder



Jan. 3,' 1939;

J. H. CANNON 2,142,492

TIME RECORDER Filed Dec.' 2o, 19:53

4 Smetssheet 1 A rToR/vgv. Y

Jan. 3, 1939. J H1 CANNON 2,142,492

TIME RECORDER f/V VEA/TOR. dama Cannon, 5y

Jan. 3, 1939.

J. H. CANNON T IME RECORDER 4 sheets-sheet 4 a y M154 @wai/m /zd gm l '6am ne E /l/ 1 ///L N22 /z//L D A groe/Vgn Patented Jan. 3, 1939 UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to signal systems and relates in particular to a signal system having an improved type of recorder for making a complete and accurate record of the operation of the various signals constituting the signal system.

Although the invention may be employed in conjunction with various recording and signaling devices an extensive use thereof is in conjunction with signal systems of the character employed in iti hospitals wherein devices are placed in the respective rooms or Wards for causing the operation of a signal at a signal station to constitute a call for an attendant. Many of such signal systems comprise merely a simple light drop, or. equiva- 15 lent means, for showing that the signal actuating means situated at the bedside of a patient has been operating. For protection of both the hospital and the patient it is highly desirable to provide a means for keeping a complete record of 20 the operation of these signal devices, such record showing the time at which the signal was actuated and the length o'f time taken to respond to the call for an attendant. It is an object of my invention to provide an improved recorder hav- 5'5 ing a record, means for showing whether or not the recording device has been in continuous operation, and means for showing the time and duration of operation of the various signals constituting the entire signal system.

30 lt is a further object of'my invention to provide a recorder havingI a record and meansfor producing recordings or indications on such record when the associated signals are operated, the recording means being power'operated through an 35 electric circuit 4or from a source of current supply separate from the individual signal circuits. These signal circuits are often of considerable length and are generally operated on low volttages, with the result that a voltage drop will often interfere with the proper operation of the ordinary type of recording device. In my new system and `recorder perfect operation is maintained under ordinary conditions.

a., Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident throughout the following part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:

Fig. 1 is a view of. the right side of `a recorder embodying my invention.

` Fig. 2 is a front view of the recorder taken as indicated by the arrow 2 of Fig. 1.

I Fig. 3 is a cross-section on a plane represented by the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section taken as indicated by the line 4--4 oi Fig. 2.

Fig; 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the details of the buzzer switch forming a part of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section on a plane represented by the line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is an electrical diagram showing the manner of, connecting the recorder with the signal system. 10

The simple form of my recorder shown in the drawings employs right hand and left hand side plates II and I2 which are disposed in parallel planes and are spaced apart in accordance with the number of recording units to be mounted therein. These side plates are held together by use of cross bars I3. Mounted on the exterior face of the side plate II, as shown in Figi. 1, is a chronometric device preferably in the form of a synchronous clock motor I4 adapted to drive a 20 shaft I5 at relatively slow speed. This shaft I5 extends through a gear case I6 to a gear case I1 Where it drives a pinion bevel gear I8 meshed with a bevel gear secured to a friction plate 2I turnably mounted upon a drive roller shaft 22 25 which is provided with a cooperating friction plate 23 and a knob 24 whereby the roller may be independently turned for the purpose of adjusting to a starting position a record 25 which consists of a strip of paper which passes from a supply roll 26, over an idling roller 21 and around the inner face 28 of a drive.roller 30 mounted on the shaft 22.

As will be noted, the roller 30 extends across the upper forward or leftward part of the supporting structure formed by the side plates II and I2 and the interconnecting rods I3 and is consequently essentially in a horizontal plane with the timing motor I4. The idling roller' 21 is removably secured in its operative position shown in Fig. 3 by extending trunnions 3| which are adapted to engage notches or channels 32 formed at the forward edges of the side plates II and I2. The supply roll 26 is supported on a pin 33, the ends of which are adapted to engage plates 34 carried on the inner faces of the side walls II and I2, one of the plates34 passing an opening 35 in the side plate II, which opening provides a means for viewing the roll 26 to check up on the size thereof. A roll 36 of carbon paper 50 31 is carried on a pin 38 between the upper ends of the plates 34, this sheet of carbon paper also being carried over the idler roll 21 and across the outer or rightward face of that portion of the record 25 which passes upwardly. over the inner 55 face 28 of the roller Sli. At the roller t@ the record 25 curves forwardly and downwardly on the exterior of the recording device in a position for inspection or for subsequentl removal, as shown in Fig. 3. As shown at d@ the carbon paper is carried vertically from the rear face 2B of the roller 3@ to a roller ll which has a smooth outer face andv which is driven at such speed that its periphery will travel slightly faster than the surface of the roller 3d. A plate i2 extends across the space between the upper parts of the side plates ii and i2 and has 'hinge means d3 at its rearward end so that the forward end ld thereof may be swung upwardly.

Under the forward end iii of the plate 52 rollers 65 are resiliently mounted, which rollers 65 hold.

the carbon paper 3l against the rotating roller di so that a constant pull will be placed upon the carbon paper to stretch the portion d@ thereof tight. The ends of the roller 3@ are provided with sprockets Se which engage sprocket holes di in the edges of the record sheet 25 and the sheet of carbon paperll so that such sheets are positively driven when the timing motor i6 is in operation. Accordingly, during the operation of the timing motor both sheets d and 3i will be fed chronometrically through the recording device, the end id of the record sheet 2d passing downwardly across the face oi the recording device and the end i@ of the carbon paper 3i passing rearwardly over a horizontal plate 5i .and under a tearing edge d2 formed at the rear of the swingable cover plate G2, so that this extending end 5@ may be torn oi at intervals. As shown in Fig. 2, the record sheet 25 has lengthwise paths Eid dened thereon by lines 55, these paths 5d being designated as numbers l, 2, 3, etc. in accordance with the number of signal stations .employed in the signal system which the recorder is to serve. One of the paths, such as the one at the right hand side of the record sheet 25, is designated by the character C and has the function ot receiving a continuous record to show whether or not the recording device operates throughout the whole of a given twenty-four hour period. lateral lines 5d are employed to indicate hour divisions of time and lateral lines 5i are employed to designate'fteen minute intervals, it being understood that the lines 5d and 57 are spaced at such distance that the rotation of the roller il@ will cause them to pass a given point at intervals or time 5d. .g

I For producing recordings or indications on the record sheet 25 a plurality of printing members 6i, d2, 63 and ed are provided, these printing members each consisting of a at bar having a chisel-shaped printing point 65 mounted at the forward end thereof. These printing members di to 6d are disposed in side by side' relation in a horizontal plane A-A and are held upwardly against horizontal cross bars 66 which extend between the side plates il and l2, by spring members 61. Notches 68 formed in the lower .edges of the members Il to 68 are engaged by vertically disposed leaf springs 'l5 and li, the lower ends of which are secured to a. horizontal bar S9. Accordingly, as the members SI to 6d move lengthwise in the horizontal plane A--A the upper portions of the leaf springs l@ and 'li ilex. The springs and 'ii are so placed as to hold the members 6I to 6l normally in such position that the heads 65 thereof will rest adjacent the carbon paper 31 where it passes over the inner face 2l of the roller I0. For actuating the printing members el, 82 and l63 I provide a rois in motion.

member 'i2 is adapted to engage a shoulder 1d vorizned at the rearward end of each printing 5 member'ti, d2 and 63. When the members die-63 are in their normal positions, or inactive positions, as shown in Fig. 3, the dog T3 will pass below the shoulder ld, as the member l is rotated by an electric motor i5 through the w use of gears 'i6 and Ti. Should it be desired to actuate a printing member iii-S3, it is neces sary to swing the rearward end of the desired member downwardly so as to bring the shoulder i6 thereon into the clockwise path of movement 15 of thel dog i3, whereupon the dog will force rightwardly or rearwardly, Fig. 3, on the engaged shoulder ill and will carry the printing member rearwardly, exing at this time the springs 671, il@ and ii associated therewith. When the dog i3 moves a suiicient distance rightwardly and downwardly from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3, it will disengage the shoulder FG so that the springs 'Eil and il will be permitted to snap the printing member leitwardly, causing the printing head 65 thereon to strike against the carbon paper and to transfer pigment from the carbon paper onto the surface oi the record sheet 25.

For the purpose of moving the members @ii-'83 gli' from inactive positions as shown in Fig.v 3 to active positions wherein a printing operation thereof will be caused, I provide magnetic devices in the form of solenoids Si, 62 and 83, which are disposed below the horizontal plane iii-A in staggered relation and which have armatures iid connected respectively to the printing members di, B2 and d8 by use of links 85, the upper ends of which are secured by pivot means d@ to the proper printing members di, 62 and 523. Energization of one or more of these solenoids 2li-@3 will cause one or more of the printing members d l-SS to be swung downwardly so that the shoulder ld at the rearward ends thereof will be in position to be engaged by the dogs it or the rotary member 72. z

On the inner face of the side plate ii 4is a gear' case di having a projecting rotary member B8 carrying a dog @d adapted to engage a shoulder di formed in the l*printing member Sd. This rotary member 3d, however, is in such position that the dog @il thereof will engage 'the shoulder @i at each anti-clockwise revolution oi the member dd. The gear case i6 shown in Fig. i communicates with the gear case 8l of Fig. d, and

gear means are provided therein whereby the shaft i5 will continuously drive the rotary member il@ when the timingmotor is in operation. Accordingly, when the recording device is turned on, the continuous rotation oi' the member 88 will cause the dog 90 to intermittently engage the shoulder 9| so as to carry the member 86 rearwardly or leftwardly, as shown in Fig. 4, subsequently releasing the same so that consecutive printing strokes in rightward direction will be accomplished with the result that the record 25, as shown in Fig. 2, will contain a. continuous line of recordings 92 in the lane or path C to indicate the extent of time during which the record 2S In addition to this I provide sensible means for indicating that the recording device is in operation, consisting of a lamp I3 and a buzzer 94 which may be periodically energized through use of a. switch mechanism 95 shown in Bil detail in Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 3 a small gear 75 99 is mounted in a position to engage the gear 11,

on a shaft 91 which projects through the side plate |2 so as to carry a rotary member 99 onthe outer face 99 of the side plate I2. This rotary member has a lug orcam |00 thereon adapted to engage a leaf spring |0| carrying a contact |02 in a position to engage a second contact |03 carried by a leaf spring |04 which is adapted to be adjusted upwardly or downwardly by use of an adjusting screw |05 having an exposed thumb knob |09 for the operation thereof. Whenever the motor 15 is energized so as to drive the gear 11, the cam |00 will rotate in clockwise direction and will periodically lift the rightward end of the leaf spring |0| so as to cause engagement of the contacts |02 and |03, whereupon the buzzer 94 will be periodically energized through conductors which will be hereinafter identified in conjunction with the description of the wiring diagram, Fig. 7. By raising or lowering the spring |04 the length of -time the contacts |02 and |03 remain in engagement may be varied so as' to change the duration of the sounding of the buzzer 94.

Mounted in the lower forward part of the device, in the position between the side plates and |2 are bars |01 and |09 of insulating material carrying electrical contact terminals |0 and (Il providing a means for connecting external wiring to the recorder. Also, in the recorder a magnetic relay ||2 may be mounted for controlling the operation of the motor 15 in a manner to drive the rotary member 12 during the time any one of the solenoids 9|, 92 or 93 is energized, this relay i2 being used in the preferred practice of my invention and where the motor 15 is not continuously operated.

The simple signal system shown in Fig. '7 has a plurality of stations S, individually identified as S1, S2 and S3, each including a switch ||3 having a pair of 4contacts ||5 and ||9 connected to a feeder or conductor ||1 which is connected lto the terminal ||9 of a source of electric current represented by a transformer |20. When each switch ||3 is actuated the contacts ||5 and ||9 thereof respectively connect with cooperating contacts |2| and |22. At a suitable signal receiving station signal means are placed, which may include lamps L1, L? and L3 corresponding to the stations S1, S1 and S1, together with other signal means such as a buzzer |23 and a main pilot lamp |24 which will be illuminated when lany one of the lamps L1, L? and L:1 are lighted.

A conductor |25 connects the contact |2| of station S1 with one terminal of the lamp L1, a conductor |29 connects the contact |2| of the station S2 with one terminal of the lamp L2, and a conductor |21 connects the Contact |2| of the station S3 with one terminal'of the lamp L3. All ofthe contacts |22 are connected to a conductor |29 which has a conductor |29 leading therefrom to the buzzer |23 and the ylamp |24. Also, the conductor |29 may connect through a switch |30 with a buzzer |3| placed at a remote point, such as in the diet kitchen, to advise an attendant who `has temporarily left the signal station that a signal has been operated, so that such attendant may return. to the signal receiving station to determine from the lamps L1 etc. which of the switches ||3 has been operated. A conductor |32 connects the remaining terminals of the lamps L1, L2 and I 1 and |24 and the buzzer |23 with a conductor |33, which connects with the terminal |34 of the power source |20. It is'to be noted that the buzzers |23 and |3| are actuated through circuits controlled by the switch contacts ||9 and |22 and that the lamps L1, Ll and L1 are energized through circuits controlled by contacts ||5 and |2|. 'I'he solenoids 9|, 92 and 93, previously shown in Fig. 3, are connected in parallel with the lamps L1, l..2 and L3 by use of conductors |35, |39 and |31 which connect respectively to the conductors |25, |29 and |21. 'Ihe circuits through the respective solenoids are completed by use.of a conductor |39 which connects with the power return line or conductor |33.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that should the motor 15 be in operation so as to drive the rotary member 11, the operation of the switch ||3 at any one of the signalfstations S will result in the energization of a 'solenoid 9|, 92 -or 93, and 'the proper lever 9|, 92 or 93 will be moved so as to be engaged by the cam or dog 19, as previously described. It is `not necessary, however, to have the motor 15 in continuous operation and accordingly in Fig. 'l I show a. conductor |40 connecting the conductorv |29 with one terminal |4| connecting with the coil |42 of the relay switch ||2. From the other terminal |43 of the coil |42 a conductor |44 is carried to a switch |45 by which it may be connected to the return line |33. For operation of the timing motor I4 and the motor 15 a separate conductor |49 is carried from the positive terminal I9 of the power source |20 toa contact |41 of the relay switch ||2. iBy use of conductors |49 and |50 the timing motor |4 is bridged across the conductors |44 and |49, the result being that when the switch |45 is closed the timing motor |4 will be energized and the motor 15 may be energized under control of the relay switch ||2.

For energization of the motor 15 a conductor |5| is carried from the second contact |52 of the switch ||2 toa terminal |53 of the motor 15 and from the terminal |54 of such motor a conductor |55 is carried to the conductor |44. The lamp 93 is bridged across the motor circuit so that such lamp 93 will be illuminated during the energization of the motor 15, and likewise the buzzer 94 and its intermittent switch means 95 are connected in a circuit |56 bridged across the motor 15 and preferably containing av manual control switch |51. The operation of this part of the device is as follows:

With the switch |45 closed, as is its condition to connect contacts |41 and |52 thereof, where.

upon the operating motor 15, and the electrical devices bridged thereacross, will be energized through conductors |44 and |49, and the switch ||2 will remaain in closed condition as long as a switch ||3 is closed. Accordingly, a proper solenoid 9|, 92 or 93 will at this time be energized to hold a proper printing member in operative condition and the rotary member 12 will be driven to cause a printing movement of the actuated printing member. To insure a recording operation even though a switch 3 at a station S should be closed for a very short period of time I provide a means for sustaining the rotation of the rotary member 12 after the opening of the switch ||2, sufficiently to bring the dog 13 into a starting position such as that in which it is shown in Fig. 3, such means being in the form of a motor circuit sustaining switch comprising, as best shown in Fig. 4, a circular cam |9| mounted on the end of the rotary member 12 adjacent the side 7| plate Il., this cam having a notch |62 therein into which a switch closing member |63 formed on the end of a leaf spring |64 may drop when the dog 1 13 of the rotary member 12 is in a position closely approaching the shoulders 14 of the members 6l-63. Adjacent the leaf spring |64 is a cooperating spring contact |65. The leaf spring |64 is connected through a conductor |66 with the conductor |46 and the cooperating contact |65 is connected through a conductor |61 with the conductor |5| leading to the motor 15, the result being that with the parts of the recording device in normal inoperative position as shown in Fig. 3, the momentary closing of the switch I3 will result in a momentary energization of the motor 15, with the result that the cam |6| will be moved in the direction of the arrow |10 oi Fig. 4,

angularity of the shoulder 14 of each of the mem-- bers 6|, 62, and 63. and the angularity ofthe engaging face of the dog 13 relative to the axis of the rotary member 12 is such that the frictional engagement therebetween is suflicient to prevent disengagement of the shoulder and the dog when they are once engaged until the printing member has been actuated at least once even though the solenoids s 8|, 82, or 83 should be de-energized before the completion of the printing movement.

For holding the record sheet 25 -in' engagement with the roller 30 I provide arcuate weight members |80, Figs. 3 and 4, pivoted at |8`| above the ends of the roller 30 so as to be swingable into raised position such as indicated by dotted lines |82. -A setting mark |83 may be provided on one or both the weight members |80 in such position that when one of the lateral lines 56 or 51 on the record sheet 25 is in alignment therewith another of' the lateral lines 56 or 51 will be in the plane A-A facing the ends of the printing heads 65. The distance between the ends of the printing heads 65 and the mark |83 may be one-half hour, for example, and after the record sheet 2 5 is placed over the roller 30, the roller 30 may be turned by use of the knob 24 to bring the lateral lines 56 and 51 into proper position in accordance with the actual time of day at which the setting is being made. For example,

should the device be set at 12:30 p. m., lateral line 56 designated by the numeral l2 will be brought into alignment with the indicating mark |03, thereby assuring that the lateral line 51 indicating 12:30 will be in a printing position in the plane A-A. Through the friction clutch represented by the plates 2| and 23 the roller 30 will be thereafter driven synchronously and the operation of the various signals will result in the production of recording marks |85 in the lanes or paths 54 of the record sheet 25 which may have perforations |86 at twenty-four hour divisions, so that sections each representing a twenty-four hour record may be readily torn off after they issue from the recording device.

Although I have shown a simple and operative form of my invention, it will be recognized that certain parts orv elements thereof are representative of other parts having equivalent function and that accordingly the invention is not limited to the foregoing disclosure but should be accorded the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1.- In a device of the character described, the combination of recording means with a time-actuated record-receiving means, said recording means including: a plurality of marking bars in side-by-side relation; means for yieldably supporting said bars in positions of rest relative to said recording means; yielding means for resisting movement of said bars in a direction away from said record-receiving means; a catch on each of said bars; a rotary member having a dog thereon for engaging said catches; means to actuate said rotary member; and electromagnetic means for selectively moving said catches into position for engagement with said dog.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with a, time-actuated record-receiving means of recording means, said recording means including: a plurality of signal circuits; a plurality of corresponding marking bars inside-byside relation; means Ifor yieldably supporting said `bars in positions of `rest relative to said recordreceiving means; yieldable means for resisting movement of said bars in a direction away from said recording means; a catch on each of said bars; a rotary member having a dog thereon for engaging said catches; a motor for driving said rotary member; a motor circuit for energizing said motor; means operative in consequence of the closing oi any of said signal circuits to close said motor circuit; a hold-over switch associated with said rotary member for maintaining said motor circuit closed until said rotary member has completed a prescribed cycle of operation; and a plurality of magnetic means adapted to be energized by said corresponding circuits for selectively moving said catches into position for engagement with said dOg.

` y JAMES H. CANNON. 

